District Anti-Bullying Policy Continues to ‘Evolve’

The district’s anti-bullying policy is “evolving,” Superintendent Tami Crader told the Warren Board of Education Tuesday night.

In accordance with the Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) law signed by Gov. Chris Christie in January, the board approved a revised policy in July that complied with the new law. The policy outlines a series of escalating steps in response to reports of bullying or harassment, culminating in expulsion.

Tuesday’s agenda included a report that seven HIB investigations had been conducted and three were determined to be bullying incidents.

Crader reported that, of the three incidents, two were “small, name-calling” incidents and the students involved were offered counseling.

Board member Don Huber expressed concern over how the incidents that are determined “non-events” are handled and what the district is doing to prevent stigmatizing those involved in “non-events.”

“We’re trying to work on our language, ways to bring kids into the office and contact parents so it’s not so formal or legalistic,” Crader said. “We want to avoid essentially alienating parents and preventing kids from telling an adult that something’s bothering them."

“It’s evolving,” she told the board.